Waterloo area readers, please mark your calendars: On Thursday, November 3 at 7 pm, in the Dunker Family Lounge at Renison University College (240 Westmount Road North) at the University of Waterloo, Dr. Ron Kuipers, an ICS faculty member and Jon Stanley, one of our graduate students, will be presenting a talk and leading a discussion, about how we, as Christians, can respond to the claim that God is dead, a claim being made by many prominent authors in Europe and North America.
The new atheism challenges Christians. Join us for a presentation and discussion on how faith can lead to dialogue rather than hostility between religious and secular people in our time.
Saturday 15 October 2011
Employment Opportunity—Senior Development Officer—Application Deadline: October 24, 2011
The Institute for Christian Studies is seeking an energetic, organized and committed individual to fill the role of Senior Development Officer, focusing on a major gift program, on a full-time one-year contract. If you are interested or if you know someone who would serve well in this role, please visit http://www.icscanada.edu/jobs.
CPRSE Launch Celebration in Toronto
We are all looking forward to the Gala Launch Celebration of the Centre for Philosophy, Religion and Social Ethics on the evening of Monday, October 24. The festivities will be held at the Faculty Club at the University of Toronto, commencing with a reception followed by a gala banquet, featuring an inaugural address by the CPRSE's founding Director Lambert Zuidervaart on "Living at the Crossroads: Ethical Scholarship and the Common Good", as well as a performance by internationally acclaimed violinist Barry Shiffman, Associate Dean of the Glenn Gould School at The Royal Conservatory, joined by musicians of the Royal Conservatory's Young Artists Performance Academy.
If you are not able to come for the entire evening, please join us for the reception from 5:30 to 7 pm, which is open to everyone without cost.
Thanks to all those who are planning to attend! We'll see you there!
If you are not able to come for the entire evening, please join us for the reception from 5:30 to 7 pm, which is open to everyone without cost.
Thanks to all those who are planning to attend! We'll see you there!
Cal Seerveld in Grand Rapids
On Sunday, October 23 at 10 am, Senior Member Emeritus Cal Seerveld is scheduled to speak on "The Church and the World of Modern Art" at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids at its adult education session, organized by Henry Vander Goot.
Jon Stanley in Grand Rapids
Junior Member Jon Stanley presented a paper titled "Antithesis, Common Grace, and the Reciprocity of Transformation: Towards a Neo-Calvinist Theology of Religions for Our Time" at the 2011 Herman Bavinck Conference "After 9/11/11…What?: Reformed Theology and The Church's Global Mission Today" held at Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, MI last week. Jon presented his paper at the Pre-Conference Roundtable for PhD paper award winners and Richard Mouw responded.
Social Justice and Human Rights Conference—April 27 and 28, 2012
Save the date! The CPRSE is planning a two-day interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral conference on Social Justice and Human Rights, co-sponsored with Emmanuel College, to take place on April 27 and 28, 2012 at Victoria University in the University of Toronto.
This major conference will stimulate reflection on the relationship between different conceptions of justice and rights claims, as well as on challenges in current practice and struggles for greater social justice. Keynote speaker Dr. Nicholas Wolterstorff will explore the religious and philosophical roots of the concept of justice, based on themes from his book Justice: Rights and Wrongs. The conference will also feature panel discussions and workshops. It will be of interest to the academic community, practitioners engaged in social justice and rights advocacy, and the broader public.
Watch for further details about this important conference through various ICS channels later this fall.
This major conference will stimulate reflection on the relationship between different conceptions of justice and rights claims, as well as on challenges in current practice and struggles for greater social justice. Keynote speaker Dr. Nicholas Wolterstorff will explore the religious and philosophical roots of the concept of justice, based on themes from his book Justice: Rights and Wrongs. The conference will also feature panel discussions and workshops. It will be of interest to the academic community, practitioners engaged in social justice and rights advocacy, and the broader public.
Watch for further details about this important conference through various ICS channels later this fall.
John Suk in Toronto and Grand Rapids
Former ICS president John Suk has just published a book titled Not Sure: A Pastor's Journey from Faith to Doubt. Published by Eerdmans, the book chronicles both the history of faith and Suk's struggle with doubt. An article about the book in Northumberland Today can be found at: http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3320660.
You can now order the book from Amazon.ca or Amazon.com (which also has the Kindle version). The introduction to the book is available on Suk's blog at http://faithisntwhatyouthink.blogspot.com/.
Join John in Toronto for an author party at the home of Nick Overduin and Nandy Heule (296 Soudan Avenue) on Saturday, November 5 from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. Wine and cheese will be served! John would love to see ICS faculty, students and friends at this event!
For those in Grand Rapids, John will be speaking as part of Eerdmans 100th anniversary authors' series, on Thursday November 17, at 7 pm. Eerdmans is located at 2140 Oak Industrial Drive NE, Grand Rapids.
You can now order the book from Amazon.ca or Amazon.com (which also has the Kindle version). The introduction to the book is available on Suk's blog at http://faithisntwhatyouthink.blogspot.com/.
Join John in Toronto for an author party at the home of Nick Overduin and Nandy Heule (296 Soudan Avenue) on Saturday, November 5 from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. Wine and cheese will be served! John would love to see ICS faculty, students and friends at this event!
For those in Grand Rapids, John will be speaking as part of Eerdmans 100th anniversary authors' series, on Thursday November 17, at 7 pm. Eerdmans is located at 2140 Oak Industrial Drive NE, Grand Rapids.
Monday 3 October 2011
CPRSE Launch Celebration—Deadline for Tickets: October 14
Please join us on the evening of Monday, October 24 for the Gala Launch Celebration of the Centre for Philosophy, Religion and Social Ethics. The festivities will be held at the Faculty Club at the University of Toronto, commencing with a reception at 5:30 pm, open to everyone without cost. This will be followed by a gala banquet, featuring an inaugural address by the CPRSE's founding Director Lambert Zuidervaart on "Living at the Crossroads: Ethical Scholarship and the Common Good", as well as a performance by internationally acclaimed violinist Barry Shiffman, Associate Dean of the Glenn Gould School at The Royal Conservatory, joined by musicians of the Royal Conservatory's Young Artists Performance Academy.
Tickets for the banquet are $125 per person, available online or by calling Kathy at 416-979-2331 ext. 221 (or toll-free 1-888-326-5347). We will issue a charitable tax receipt of $70 for each ticket purchased. The deadline for ordering banquet tickets is October 14th.
For further information or to inquire about sponsoring a table for the banquet, please contact Lyle Clark, Assistant Director of the CPRSE at 416-979-2331 ext. 247 or by email to cprse@icscanada.edu.
Tickets for the banquet are $125 per person, available online or by calling Kathy at 416-979-2331 ext. 221 (or toll-free 1-888-326-5347). We will issue a charitable tax receipt of $70 for each ticket purchased. The deadline for ordering banquet tickets is October 14th.
For further information or to inquire about sponsoring a table for the banquet, please contact Lyle Clark, Assistant Director of the CPRSE at 416-979-2331 ext. 247 or by email to cprse@icscanada.edu.
“God is Dead” and I Don’t Feel So Good Myself—a Christian Response to the New Atheism
Waterloo area readers, please mark your calendars: On the evening of Thursday, November 3, at Renison University College at the University of Waterloo, Dr. Ron Kuipers, an ICS faculty member and Jon Stanley, one of our graduate students, will be presenting a talk and leading a discussion, about how we, as Christians, can respond to the claim that God is dead, a claim being made by many prominent authors in Europe and North America.
The new atheism challenges Christians. Join us for a presentation and discussion on how faith can lead to dialogue rather than hostility between religious and secular people in our time.
The new atheism challenges Christians. Join us for a presentation and discussion on how faith can lead to dialogue rather than hostility between religious and secular people in our time.
Shannon Hoff in Newfoundland
Senior Member Shannon Hoff will be presenting a paper based on her inaugural address at the Canadian Society for Continental Philosophy meeting held on October 6 to 8, at Memorial University in St. John's, Newfoundland.
Cal Seerveld in Chicago and Grand Rapids
Senior Member Emeritus Cal Seerveld is scheduled to introduce the choral reading of his translation of Ecclesiastes by the faculty of Trinity Christian College, directed by John Sebestyen, at the college for the Homecoming Alumni of 1971 at 7 pm on October 6 and 8, and in Grace Church at 2:30 pm on October 9. A jazz composer/clarinetist from Chicago is engaged to do the musical interludes. This event was prompted by ICS alumnus, former ICS Senator, and Sociology professor at Trinity, Brad Breems. For more information, visit http://www.trnty.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=968:091011&catid=2:events&Itemid=1204.
While he is at Trinity, Cal will also teach a theology class (Proverbs as Wisdom Literature) and an aesthetics philosophy class (composing pop songs--requested by Prof. Aron Reppmann).
Also, Cal is scheduled to speak on "The Church and the World of Modern Art" at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids at 10 am on Sunday, October 23, at its adult education session, organized by Henry Vander Goot.
While he is at Trinity, Cal will also teach a theology class (Proverbs as Wisdom Literature) and an aesthetics philosophy class (composing pop songs--requested by Prof. Aron Reppmann).
Also, Cal is scheduled to speak on "The Church and the World of Modern Art" at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids at 10 am on Sunday, October 23, at its adult education session, organized by Henry Vander Goot.
Shawn Stovell at Redeemer University College, Ancaster
Associate Academic Dean and Registrar Shawn Stovell has been invited to attend and take part in the inauguration of Dr. Raymond Louter as Professor of Theatre Arts and Communication at Redeemer University College, Ancaster on Friday, October 21, 2011. Ray is a good friend and former colleague from Shawn's tenure at RUC (1993-1998).
Jelle Huisman in Dallas, Texas
Junior Member Jelle Huisman is travelling to Dallas on October 14 to 18, to present a paper at an international Bible Translation conference. The paper is about the use of information technology in a Bible translation context and it is loosely based on a paper which he wrote for his course work earlier this year. The main challenge for Jelle is the translation from philosophy to something programmers and managers can appreciate.
Congratulations Peter Lok!
ICS alumnus Peter Lok has begun work as a lecturer in the Liberal and Cultural Studies Program at Hong Kong Baptist University. Baptist U is a Christian liberal arts university in Hong Kong. This term, Peter will teach Aesthetics, Love and Humanities, and a course on Theme Parks and other themed spaces.
Social Justice and Human Rights Conference—April 2012
Save the date! The CPRSE is planning a two-day interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral conference on Social Justice and Human Rights, co-sponsored by Emmanuel College, to take place on April 27 and 28, 2012 at Victoria University in the University of Toronto.
This major conference will stimulate reflection on the relationship between different conceptions of justice and rights claims, as well as on challenges in current practice and struggles for greater social justice. Keynote speaker Dr. Nicholas Wolterstorff will explore the religious and philosophical roots of the concept of justice, based on themes from his book Justice: Rights and Wrongs. The conference will also feature panel discussions and workshops. It will be of interest to the academic community, practitioners engaged in social justice and rights advocacy, and the broader public.
Watch for further details about this important conference through various ICS channels later this fall.
This major conference will stimulate reflection on the relationship between different conceptions of justice and rights claims, as well as on challenges in current practice and struggles for greater social justice. Keynote speaker Dr. Nicholas Wolterstorff will explore the religious and philosophical roots of the concept of justice, based on themes from his book Justice: Rights and Wrongs. The conference will also feature panel discussions and workshops. It will be of interest to the academic community, practitioners engaged in social justice and rights advocacy, and the broader public.
Watch for further details about this important conference through various ICS channels later this fall.
Employment Opportunity—Senior Development Officer
The Institute for Christian Studies is seeking an energetic, organized and committed individual to fill the role of Senior Development Officer, focusing on a major gift program, on a full-time one-year contract. If you are interested in this position, or if you know someone who could fill this role, please visit http://www.icscanada.edu/jobs.
President’s Prayer Letter: October 2011
When I came to ICS I was an historian who had been trained in an interdisciplinary program of medieval studies. I quickly found out that that was good enough to get started at ICS but that I would have to turn myself into a philosopher too; otherwise I would not be serving ICS Junior Members nor my Senior Member colleagues well. So I began to read widely in the history of philosophy, far beyond the medieval philosophers I'd been trained to read in the course of my graduate studies. As I read my way up and down the history of philosophy, I came to collect for myself a list of those themes that marked out Christian interventions in the history of philosophy and thought. I eventually began to work those themes into the courses I developed for teaching at the ICS. In the days in which ICS sold its curriculum to potential Junior Members as so many different "fields of study", there was an expectation that each Senior Member would develop a coherent program of study in her or his "field". My plan was to take my list of typically Christian themes and make them the coordinates of such a coherent curriculum. This year both of my seminars in the history of philosophy either centre upon or deal in an important way with one of those themes, the individuality of creatures. In the Greek and Roman world in which Christianity was born individuality was thought of in terms of particularity. Individuals were particular instances of kinds. In a world of bodies, mortal bodies, individuals existed in order to perpetuate the existence of the kind to which they belonged. Individual cows existed and reproduced in order to perpetuate their bovine kind, to give but one instance. The individuals had meaning and indeed the whole of their meaning in the existence and nature of the kind to which they belonged. Their individuality contributed nothing intelligible in addition to the meaning intrinsic to their kind. Each individual was adequately identified when it was identified as a particular instance of its kind. But in the long centuries of Christian cultural leadership in Europe, one sees a new thought. Particularity does not exhaust the meaning of individuals in their individuality. Individuals were not just particulars, the smallest unit one was able to divide a kind up into, indivisible in and of itself. No individuals were in addition irreplaceable. Each one was a separate, intended creation of the Creator, bound to the Creator by a bond that was uniterable, filled with a meaning known only to the Creator, at least in full. There were many ways of representing this intuition in thought. If you think about it, this need to deepen the significance and value of creaturely individuality makes a lot of sense in the context of revelation. God's providence we read in Scripture counts the hair on our heads, the sands of the desert, the drops in the ocean. God emptied Godself even unto death, not only for humankind in general but for you and me. And through us, unto the redemption and consummation of not just the creation itself but each of its irreplaceable and unspeakably precious creatures. Whether many or few we whoever we be are intended and cherished, world without end. This is a comfort for we few who work and study at ICS as frail and insignificant as we are. It is a source of gratitude and prayer. We would invite you who support us to think of us in that light too, each of us intended and cherished, irreplaceable, thought worthy by our Lord himself of a sacrifice beyond our most capacious words. May we all pray out our heartfelt thanks, together, each and every one of us, this month.
For the President,
Bob Sweetman
Monday, October 3: We offer prayers of praise for the talents of Senior Members Bob Sweetman, Doug Blomberg, Lambert Zuidervaart and Nik Ansell, and Junior Member Joe Kirby who represented ICS at the Christian Philosophy Conference at the VU in Amsterdam in August.
Tuesday, October 4: As the second month of the fall semester begins, we ask God's guidance and wisdom for all our Junior Members who are working hard in their courses and for a sense of balance as they deal with families and jobs as well. We pray too that student jobs will be found where they are needed.
Wednesday, October 5: The Finance and Fundraising Committee meets today. We pray for God's wisdom to guide their discussions and decisions.
Thursday, October 6: This weekend Senior Member Shannon Hoff will be presenting a paper at the Canadian Society for Continental Philosophy in St. John's, Newfoundland.
Also, Senior Member Emeritus Cal Seerveld will be introducing three performances of his translation of Ecclesiastes in Chicago this weekend. We pray for safe travel for Shannon and Cal and good responses to these events.
Friday, October 7: ICS alumna Janet Read is participating in two art shows this month. We pray for God's blessing on Janet and everyone who attends these shows.
Monday, October 10: Today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada. As we celebrate and give thanks for the bounty of the harvest, may we reflect on the grace of God and the rewards of our labour. May we remember that ICS is sustained by both God's grace and the dedicated work of its support community, administrative staff, and Senior and Junior Members.
Tuesday, October 11: As the Thanksgiving weekend ends, we offer prayers of gratitude for the many people who have given ICS gifts of prayers, money, concern and appreciation. It is truly a blessing to have the interest and support of so many people.
Wednesday, October 12: The Interfaculty Colloquium will be held this afternoon. We pray for God's blessing on all participants, and for good and positive insights that will further important academic work.
Thursday, October 13: Senior Member Shannon Hoff's father, Bram Hoff, was involved in an accident on his scooter several weeks ago. He had multiple serious injuries, but is improving slowly. Please pray for a full recovery.
Friday, October 14: ICS President Chris Gort will be going to the inaugural of the new president, Rev. Julius T. Medenblik, of Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids tomorrow.
Also, Junior Member Jelle Huisman is travelling to Dallas this weekend to present a paper at an international Bible Translation conference. We pray for safe travel for Chris and Jelle and blessings on all who attend these events.
Monday, October 17: We are now fully into our new academic year! Give thanks for the insightful, talented, and hard working ICS faculty and staff, and pray for energy and enthusiasm to sustain with their workloads.
Tuesday, October 18: ICS is seeking a Senior Development Officer. We ask God's blessing on this search and we pray that we will find the right person for the job.
Wednesday, October 19: We ask God's blessing on the Academic Council as they meet today. We pray for guidance and wisdom.
Thursday, October 20: We ask God's help and guidance for all those who are doing advancement work for ICS. Please pray that support for the vision and mission of ICS continues to grow.
Friday, October 21: Reading week begins next week! Please pray that our Senior and Junior Members will be able to use this break from classes to catch up, get ahead, or use the week for whatever they may need to help them in their studies.
Today Associate Academic Dean and Registrar Shawn Stovell has been invited to attend and take part in the inauguration of Dr. Raymond Louter as Professor of Theatre Arts and Communication at Redeemer University College. We pray for God's blessing on all who attend.
Monday, October 24: The Gala Launch Celebration of the Centre for Philosophy, Religion and Social Ethics is this evening. We pray for an evening rich in discussion and celebration.
Tuesday, October 25: We offer prayers of praise for the talents of ICS alumnus Peter Lok who has begun work as a lecturer in the Liberal and Cultural Studies Program at Hong Kong Baptist University.
Wednesday, October 26: We ask for God's blessing on those who are planning the Annual General Meeting to be held on Wednesday, November 16. We pray for energy and enthusiasm for all who are involved.
Thursday, October 27: As Reading Week continues, please pray that it will be a fruitful week for the academic body at ICS as many Senior and Junior Members have projects they are working on beyond normal class work. Whether these are publications, papers for conferences, or other scholarly activities, pray that this week will afford extra time to make progress in these areas.
Friday, October 28: We offer prayers of praise and gratitude for the talents of former ICS president John Suk who has published a new book entitled Not Sure: A Pastor's Journey from Faith to Doubt.
Monday, October 30: Reading week is over! We ask God for insight, energy and enthusiasm for everyone who is returning to classes this week.
Tuesday, October 31: We ask for God's blessing and guidance for those who are involved in the planning for the Social Justice and Human Rights Conference to be held next April.
For the President,
Bob Sweetman
Monday, October 3: We offer prayers of praise for the talents of Senior Members Bob Sweetman, Doug Blomberg, Lambert Zuidervaart and Nik Ansell, and Junior Member Joe Kirby who represented ICS at the Christian Philosophy Conference at the VU in Amsterdam in August.
Tuesday, October 4: As the second month of the fall semester begins, we ask God's guidance and wisdom for all our Junior Members who are working hard in their courses and for a sense of balance as they deal with families and jobs as well. We pray too that student jobs will be found where they are needed.
Wednesday, October 5: The Finance and Fundraising Committee meets today. We pray for God's wisdom to guide their discussions and decisions.
Thursday, October 6: This weekend Senior Member Shannon Hoff will be presenting a paper at the Canadian Society for Continental Philosophy in St. John's, Newfoundland.
Also, Senior Member Emeritus Cal Seerveld will be introducing three performances of his translation of Ecclesiastes in Chicago this weekend. We pray for safe travel for Shannon and Cal and good responses to these events.
Friday, October 7: ICS alumna Janet Read is participating in two art shows this month. We pray for God's blessing on Janet and everyone who attends these shows.
Monday, October 10: Today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada. As we celebrate and give thanks for the bounty of the harvest, may we reflect on the grace of God and the rewards of our labour. May we remember that ICS is sustained by both God's grace and the dedicated work of its support community, administrative staff, and Senior and Junior Members.
Tuesday, October 11: As the Thanksgiving weekend ends, we offer prayers of gratitude for the many people who have given ICS gifts of prayers, money, concern and appreciation. It is truly a blessing to have the interest and support of so many people.
Wednesday, October 12: The Interfaculty Colloquium will be held this afternoon. We pray for God's blessing on all participants, and for good and positive insights that will further important academic work.
Thursday, October 13: Senior Member Shannon Hoff's father, Bram Hoff, was involved in an accident on his scooter several weeks ago. He had multiple serious injuries, but is improving slowly. Please pray for a full recovery.
Friday, October 14: ICS President Chris Gort will be going to the inaugural of the new president, Rev. Julius T. Medenblik, of Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids tomorrow.
Also, Junior Member Jelle Huisman is travelling to Dallas this weekend to present a paper at an international Bible Translation conference. We pray for safe travel for Chris and Jelle and blessings on all who attend these events.
Monday, October 17: We are now fully into our new academic year! Give thanks for the insightful, talented, and hard working ICS faculty and staff, and pray for energy and enthusiasm to sustain with their workloads.
Tuesday, October 18: ICS is seeking a Senior Development Officer. We ask God's blessing on this search and we pray that we will find the right person for the job.
Wednesday, October 19: We ask God's blessing on the Academic Council as they meet today. We pray for guidance and wisdom.
Thursday, October 20: We ask God's help and guidance for all those who are doing advancement work for ICS. Please pray that support for the vision and mission of ICS continues to grow.
Friday, October 21: Reading week begins next week! Please pray that our Senior and Junior Members will be able to use this break from classes to catch up, get ahead, or use the week for whatever they may need to help them in their studies.
Today Associate Academic Dean and Registrar Shawn Stovell has been invited to attend and take part in the inauguration of Dr. Raymond Louter as Professor of Theatre Arts and Communication at Redeemer University College. We pray for God's blessing on all who attend.
Monday, October 24: The Gala Launch Celebration of the Centre for Philosophy, Religion and Social Ethics is this evening. We pray for an evening rich in discussion and celebration.
Tuesday, October 25: We offer prayers of praise for the talents of ICS alumnus Peter Lok who has begun work as a lecturer in the Liberal and Cultural Studies Program at Hong Kong Baptist University.
Wednesday, October 26: We ask for God's blessing on those who are planning the Annual General Meeting to be held on Wednesday, November 16. We pray for energy and enthusiasm for all who are involved.
Thursday, October 27: As Reading Week continues, please pray that it will be a fruitful week for the academic body at ICS as many Senior and Junior Members have projects they are working on beyond normal class work. Whether these are publications, papers for conferences, or other scholarly activities, pray that this week will afford extra time to make progress in these areas.
Friday, October 28: We offer prayers of praise and gratitude for the talents of former ICS president John Suk who has published a new book entitled Not Sure: A Pastor's Journey from Faith to Doubt.
Monday, October 30: Reading week is over! We ask God for insight, energy and enthusiasm for everyone who is returning to classes this week.
Tuesday, October 31: We ask for God's blessing and guidance for those who are involved in the planning for the Social Justice and Human Rights Conference to be held next April.
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